Unmasking Our Assumptions

Liza Mamulashvili

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Unmasking Our Assumptions

Students will be able to define unconscious bias and identify examples of personal biases. Students will understand how biases can influence perceptions and interactions.

Understanding our biases helps us to recognize how we perceive the world and interact with others. This self-awareness is crucial for developing empathy and building more inclusive relationships.

Audience

9th Grade Group

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, examples, and self-reflection.

Materials

The Lens of Perception (slide-deck), Hidden Biases Conversation Starters (discussion), and Am I Biased (quiz)

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Review the Lesson Plan, Slide Deck, Hidden Biases Conversation Starters, and Am I Biased quiz to familiarize yourself with the content and flow. Prepare any necessary discussion prompts.

Step 1

Introduction: What Shapes Our View?

5 minutes

Teacher: Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to have a 'perspective'? How do our experiences shape how we see things?" (2 minutes)
Teacher: Introduce the concept of unconscious bias as a 'mental shortcut' our brains take. Explain that everyone has them, and it's not about being 'good' or 'bad,' but about being aware. (3 minutes)
Refer to Slide 1 and Slide 2 of The Lens of Perception Slide Deck.

Step 2

Exploring Types of Biases

10 minutes

Teacher: Present the core concepts of unconscious bias using The Lens of Perception (slide-deck).
Teacher: Discuss different types of biases (e.g., confirmation bias, affinity bias) with simple, relatable examples.
Refer to Slides 3-4 of The Lens of Perception Slide Deck.

Step 3

Hidden Biases Discussion

15 minutes

Teacher & Students: Facilitate a small group discussion using the Hidden Biases Conversation Starters (discussion).
Students: Encourage students to share their thoughts and listen actively to their peers. Remind them to be respectful of different perspectives. (15 minutes)
Refer to Slide 5 of The Lens of Perception Slide Deck.

Step 4

Self-Reflection Quiz

7 minutes

Teacher: Introduce the Am I Biased (quiz) as an opportunity for personal reflection, not a test.
Students: Have students complete the quiz individually. (7 minutes)
Refer to Slide 6 of The Lens of Perception Slide Deck.

Step 5

Wrap-up and Key Takeaways

3 minutes

Teacher: Briefly recap the main points: everyone has biases, awareness is the first step, and continuous reflection helps foster empathy and inclusivity.
Teacher: Encourage students to continue being mindful of their own biases and to engage in respectful dialogue.
Refer to Slides 7-8 of The Lens of Perception Slide Deck.

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Slide Deck

Welcome to 'The Lens of Perception'

How do our experiences shape what we see?

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that everyone has a unique perspective shaped by their experiences.

What is Unconscious Bias?

Mental shortcuts our brains take
Not good or bad, but important to recognize
Everyone has them!

Introduce the concept of unconscious bias. Emphasize that it's natural and not about being 'bad,' but about being aware.

Types of Biases (Examples)

Confirmation Bias: Believing what you want to believe
Affinity Bias: Preferring people like you
Stereotypes: Generalizations about groups

Provide simple, relatable examples of different types of biases. For instance, confirmation bias: only seeking information that confirms what you already believe. Affinity bias: gravitating towards people similar to yourself.

How Biases Influence Us

They shape our thoughts and decisions
They affect how we treat others
Sometimes, we don't even realize it!

Explain how biases can impact our perceptions and interactions, even without us realizing it. Stress the importance of recognizing these impacts.

Let's Talk About It

Time for a group discussion!
Be open, honest, and respectful.
Share your thoughts and listen to others.

Transition to the discussion activity. Explain that open and honest conversation is key to understanding biases better.

Self-Reflection: 'Am I Biased?'

A personal quiz to explore your own perceptions.
No right or wrong answers – just an opportunity to learn about yourself.
Be honest with yourself!

Introduce the quiz as a tool for personal reflection, not a test of right or wrong answers. Encourage students to think critically about their own responses.

Key Takeaways

Biases are normal, but we can learn to manage them.
Awareness is the first step.
Keep reflecting and learning!

Summarize the key takeaways: biases are natural, awareness is key, and continuous self-reflection is important for growth.

Building an Inclusive Community

By understanding ourselves, we can better understand each other.
Let's create a more empathetic and inclusive environment together!

End with an encouraging thought about building a more understanding and inclusive community.

Discussion

Hidden Biases Conversation Starters

Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following questions. Remember to listen respectfully to each other's perspectives and experiences.

Part 1: Initial Thoughts

Can you think of a time when your first impression of someone turned out to be completely different after you got to know them? What do you think influenced your initial impression?
Have you ever noticed yourself making a quick judgment about a situation or a person before you had all the facts? What happened?
What does the phrase "we all wear different lenses" mean to you when thinking about how we see the world?

Part 2: Exploring Bias

The slides mentioned "confirmation bias" (believing what you want to believe). Can you give an example from your own life or something you've observed where someone only sought out information that confirmed what they already thought?
"Affinity bias" suggests we prefer people who are like us. How might this play out in a school setting, like choosing group members for a project or making new friends?
Why do you think it's important to be aware of our own unconscious biases, even if we don't mean to have them?

Part 3: Real-World Connections

How might unconscious biases affect decisions made in everyday life, such as hiring for a job, choosing a team for a game, or even deciding what movie to watch?
What are some small things we can do in our daily interactions to challenge our own biases and be more open-minded?
Why is it important for a community or a group (like our class) to try and understand and reduce the impact of biases?